In the case of flooding, though, be aware that standing water is more damaging to vegetables and herbs than to flowers.

With enough notice, you may want to go ahead and harvest some of your vegetables and herbs.

You can put plants in containers and move them to higher ground. If flooding is a problem in your gardening area, head off damage by amending clay soils to improve drainage.

Tip: Extremes of rain and drought can cause blossom end rot in tomatoes and inconsistent growth in other vegetables. Keep your garden consistently watered.

Lightning

Just like your house, tall trees can attract lightning. When lightning strikes a tree, it runs down the length of the tree through the sapwood. The resulting heat can blow the bark completely off the tree, damaging the tree and possibly nearby structures.

Lightning protection systems for trees are effective but can be expensive. If you have a significant or specimen tree to protect, talk with a certified arborist about installing a rod and cable system that will conduct the electricity away from the tree.

These systems do not increase the likelihood of lightning strikes. Instead, they conduct the lightning to the ground where it can dissipate. This can also protect your home from lightning and from damage that may come from a struck tree.

Hail

Tender plants like vegetables, herbs and flowers can be flattened and destroyed by hail storms.

When hail is forecast, cover plants with household objects like buckets and large pans from the kitchen weighted down with rocks. Patio furniture works as a cover, too.

Lean sheets of plywood, weighted down, against fences and other structures to protect plants along the edges.

If hail is a frequent problem in your area, consider floating row covers set over mini hoops to protect your raised garden beds.